Sports Broadcasting
Sports have always been one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Fans across the United States build their lives around their favorite teams, often dedicating entire days to watching and reading about them.
On April 11th 1921, a boxing match was broadcast over the radio for the first time through KDKA. This was a big step for the industry and paved the way for future live sports broadcasting. 스포츠중계
Broadcasting
When you tune into a sports game, there’s usually a team of people working together to bring the action to your television or radio. These professionals rely on an in-depth understanding of the sport and its rules, strategy, and history to provide commentary, analysis, and interviews.
In North America, the main commentator (known as the play-by-play announcer in football and basketball broadcasts, blow-by-blow in combat sports coverage, or lap-by-lap for motorsports coverage) provides a detailed description of what’s happening on the field. This job often requires a fast pace and the ability to keep up with events as they unfold.
Video technicians, who typically receive professional training either in school or on the job, set up and operate the cameras that capture the action for the broadcast. They also work with sound equipment to ensure consistent audio levels throughout the broadcast. This is particularly important in live events. They may also create and edit the various graphics that appear on screen during the broadcast, such as scoring updates and player presentations.
Studio Hosts
In this segment of sports broadcasting, the on-air personality is based in a studio rather than at the sports venue. They host pre-game, halftime and post-game shows in a controlled studio environment and often interact with other members of the studio team and guest experts.
Bob Wischusen and Robert Griffin III join the 2023 ESPN booth lineup as a regular college football and NFL pair on ESPN and ABC. Wischusen, the New York Jets radio voice, is a regular contributor on ESPN’s SportsCenter and golf coverage, while Griffin III calls college football, NBA and baseball for ESPN.
NBC Sports’ Maria Taylor anchors Football Night in America and several other top-tier network studio assignments. A two-time Sports Emmy winner, she has also led coverage of Notre Dame and the NHL and anchored the network’s Olympic coverage. She also hosts NESN’s Red Sox studio show.
Play-by-Play Announcers
Whether the broadcast is radio or television, the play-by-play announcer is the primary speaker on the event and is valued for his articulateness and ability to verbally convey each play and event of a fast-moving game. Some play-by-play broadcasters (like Al Michaels of football and baseball, Bob Costas of virtually every sport for NBC, or Rick Jeanneret of hockey) are known in their careers as a main commentator, while others work only on certain events or specialized sports (like Brent Musburger of NFL football and basketball and Dick Enberg of bowling).
A good play-by-play announcer will notice the smallest detail of a game and relay it to viewers. He will know how to narrate the action in a way that evokes emotion and anguish, or triumph and glory. He will also avoid the pitfalls of a rambling analyst, telling endless stories that have no point and detracting from the action on the field or court.
Color Commentators/Analysts
In most sports broadcasting, the main commentator (known as a play-by-play announcer in North America) is assisted by a color commentator. These secondary broadcasters provide levity and insights to enrich the viewers’ experience.
Often, former or current athletes and coaches serve in this role to share their intimate knowledge of the game. These experts add depth and perspective to the commentary as they discuss strategy, offer analysis, and provide historical context to the game.
It’s common to see several color commentators in the booth during more intense or high-profile sporting events such as playoff games and the Olympics. These team members typically coordinate their comments through pre-game meetings and discussions, as well as communication during the event itself using specific cues and phrases to avoid interrupting each other.
Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career as a studio or field host, or you want to work on the sidelines as an analyst or pundit, HKPropel has the resources that will help you prepare. Major Moments sidebars cover defining moments in sports broadcasting history, and Pro Advice interviews with professional sports broadcasters provide career tips and practical guidance.